Apple Location, Privacy Issue Prompts House Inquiry

An update to Apple's terms of service regarding its location-based services has prompted an inquiry from House lawmakers.

Earlier this week, Apple updated its privacy policy to include a section that says Apple, its partners, and licensees "may collect, use, and share precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device."

The update applies to both the new iPhone OS 4 (iOS 4) and the new iPhone 4, which goes on sale on Thursday.

The story was first reported by The Los Angeles Times.

The policy said that the location data is collected anonymously and does not reveal any personal information.

"[It] is used by Apple and our partners and licensees to provide and improve location-based products and services," the policy said. "For example, we may share geographic location with application providers when you opt in to their location services."

Reps. Edward Markey and Joe Barton, the chairman and ranking member of the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, were not convinced. They penned a letter to Apple chief executive Steve Jobs on Thursday asking him to explain this change in policy.

"Given the limited ability of Apple users to opt out of the revised policy and still be able to take advantage of the features of their Apple products, we are concerned about the impact the collection of such data could have on the privacy of Apple's customers," Markey and Barton wrote.

The lawmakers asked Jobs to explain: which Apple products are collecting geographic information; when Apple started collecting the data and how often it is done; whether this affects all Apple consumers; what internal procedures are in place to make sure personal data is not exposed; if Apple is sharing this data with AT&T via the iPhone or iPad; who qualifies as a partner or licensee; and if the "I agree" boxes consumer checks when downloading updates and apps sufficiently informs them of Apple's policy.

They asked Jobs to respond by July 12.

Earlier this month, Apple and AT&T admitted that an AT&T glitch had accidentally exposed the e-mail addresses of 114,000 Apple iPad users. AT&T eventually blamed a hacker attack for the breach.

Markey and Barton have also gotten involved in the Google Wi-Fi sniffing case, asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate.

About Our Expert

Chloe Albanesius

Executive Editor, News

My Experience

I started out covering tech policy in DC for The National Journal, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. I later covered Wall Street trading tech before switching gears to consumer tech. I now lead PCMag's news coverage.

My Areas of Expertise

Getting my start in DC means I still have a soft spot for tech policy; Congressional hearings can sometimes be as entertaining as a Bravo reality show, for better or worse. But PCMag is all about the technology we use every day, as well as keeping an eye out for the trends that will shape the industry in the years ahead (or flop on arrival). I've covered the rise of social media, the iOS vs. Android wars, the cord-cutting revolution that's now left us with hefty streaming bills, and the effort to stuff artificial intelligence into every product you could imagine. This job has taken me to CES in Vegas (one too many times), IFA in Berlin, and MWC in Barcelona. I also drove a Tesla 1,000 miles out west as part of our Best Mobile Networks project. Of late, my focus is on our hard-working team of reporters at PCMag, guiding and editing their robust coverage.

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